Journalists, newsmakers react to Mike Wallace's passing

"He loved being Mike Wallace. He loved the fact that if he
showed up for an interview, it made people nervous. ... He knew,
and he knew that everybody else knew, that he was going to get to
the truth. And that's what motivated him." - CBS News chairman and
"60 Minutes" executive producer Jeff Fager.

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"His extraordinary contribution as a broadcaster is
immeasurable and he has been a force within the television industry
throughout its existence. His loss will be felt by all of us at
CBS." - CBS Corp. President and CEO Leslie Moonves.

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"Mike was a great friend and a mentor to me. He even gave me a
compliment once, and he was one of the real pioneers in television
journalism." - "Face the Nation" host Bob Schieffer.

"Wallace took to heart the old reporter's pledge to comfort the
afflicted and afflict the comfortable." - "60 Minutes"
correspondent Morley Safer, in an essay about Wallace.

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"I don't recall anybody ever saying to me, `He took a cheap
shot' or `he did the obvious,' or that he was, you know, was
playing some kind of game. He actually was trying to serve the
audience and that's what made him great." - Fox News Channel
Chairman Roger Ailes.

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"Every Sunday night, America tuned in to see what questions he
would ask and who would be exposed to his hard-charging quest for
the truth. Mike's tough questioning inspired generations of
journalists." - ABC News President Ben Sherwood.

"There is one thing that Mike can do better than anybody else: With an angelic smile, he can ask a question that would get anyone else smashed in the face."
- the late Harry Reasoner

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"My heart is broken today over the death of my dear friend Mike Wallace. My parents introduced me to Mike more than 75 years ago and we've been fast
friends ever since. ... Mike was an old school journalist and one of the most astute people I've ever met. The news business will be a different place now, and our lives will be forever changed for having known him."
- Former first lady Nancy Reagan

"Mike was a giant in news reporting and
analysis. His investigative reporting was legendary and his
participation in '60 Minutes' helped created a lasting
institution. Mike Wallace's life created a legacy young
reporters will study for years to come. The Wallace family is in
our prayers this Easter Sunday."
- Newt Gingrich, Republican presidential candidate and former
Speaker of the House

"Mike's energy and nerve paced everyone at 'Sixty
Minutes.' His was the defining spirit of the show. He bounded
through the halls with joy at the prospect of the new, the true,
the unexpected."
- ABC News anchor and former "60 Minutes" correspondent Diane
Sawyer

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"Mike Wallace was a dear &
wonderful friend. Not just a great broadcaster, but a great guy.
We will never see his likes again."
- Former CNN host Larry King